Touchstone

~Touchstone~

Chapter Ten

By Gin

The next few days flew by in a flurry. Hermione spent them owling libraries and the people Severus had mentioned she should try to ask for help. They had all owled back with books and information and all of them stating that St. Mungo's had contacted them and they'd given them the same information they had to her. At this, her determination had faltered, but she quickly ignored that initial let down and pressed on in her own way. This was what she did. Improved on things someone else had achieved or made. She gratefully indulged in the pre-project high she always got when taking on a new and particularly difficult challenge that was presented to her. Although her nerves were strung tight- if she didn't find a way for a cure, then it could mean the death of her best friend.

She went through books and notes on psychological disorder's, magical and Muggle, previous cures and treatments for the disorders, brushed up on a little anatomy, mainly the brain, and poured over others' notes while making her own.

Everyone had noticed her absence in the mornings and afternoons, and after Severus, made the well-aimed comment to Poppy, that she was trying to look up a cure for Potter, Poppy went up to her room and demanded she give herself some personal time. After a small "disagreement" Hermione relented and took the rest of the day off.

Cerelia Sprout asked her to help her pot some Bouncing Bulbs, which Hermione agreed to help with, and immediately afterwards had to take a shower as dirt was flung everywhere. The two witches had fun with it however, laughing half the time. Then she went to see Lenea Vector, (the divorce proceedings went well and he got kicked flat out on his arse, as one of the women Jack MacFarlan had philandered around with was the judge's wife) and they chatted for a while before Minerva came to get them for dinner.

The three women walked down together to the Great Hall to be met by the rest of the other faculty members. Sprout was talking animatedly to Professor Dumbledore and Gamula Hooch, while Poppy Pomfrey was talking quietly to Severus. Hagrid was at the table, happily whittling away at a stick while a magical dustpan (provided by Albus) swept away the bits. As soon as they sat down, Minerva cleverly arranging it so Hermione sat next to Severus, Dumbledore motioned for the food to appear.

"Hello ladies, Hagrid. Oh and Severus," he added purposefully, his eyes sparkling in Snape's direction. Snape rolled his eyes as the women all giggled at his annoyance. "I trust you have all had a relaxing day."

"Well Hermione and I potted some bulbs this afternoon, and I got most of the rose bushes pruned around the end of the greenhouses. Very relaxing," chimed in Sprout. Dumbledore nodded appreciatively.

"Yes I imagine it was. Alas, I've never had a talented green thumb. Most of my plants die without the aid of some form of magic," Dumbledore said while Sprout shook her head sadly.

Minerva went on to say she'd completed her list of new students and their Hogwarts invitations and that they would be ready to mail later. Gamula had gone through the Quidditch inventory and ordered more brooms for next year. Hermione asked Albus how his trip to London was and he suddenly grew quiet for a moment then half glanced at Severus before reassuming his smile.

"It went as expected," was all he said. No one spoke for a few moments until Severus asked Cerelia about the mandrake seedlings he had planted a few days ago to break the silence.

"Oh they're doing very well Severus. Unlike Albus," and she nudged him in the ribs, "you do have a very fine green thumb." The women all snickered again. Snape graced them all with a scowl before going back to his pork chops. His elbow kept brushing Hermione's arm and she found it hard to stop fidgeting around. It almost seemed as if he had purposefully been nudging her, and "accidentally" catching her eye the past few nights at dinner. Although, if she were fair, she'd had her part in inadvertently brushing up against him as well. Reaching for the salt and pepper shakers, asking for him to pass the bread and letting her fingers linger over his, pushing her hair behind her ear a little more often than necessary. It really was a spectacle to a few of the fellow diners around the table.

Albus and Minerva actually had a running bet: Who's going to kiss whom first. Minerva was sure Severus would get the move in first, while Dumbledore was positive Hermione was the bolder one this time. And ten Galleons to the winner. Poppy had laughed for a good minute when Minerva asked her to throw in a bid. And though they were discreet, Sprout, Hooch, and Vector all had their secret sneaking suspicions, and not a one protested it. They all secretly hoped they would just give in to their little games and allow themselves to be happy. They were both so desperately in need of each other. So when Severus and Hermione found themselves in positions where they were the only ones alone together with a little project, or sitting next to each other at meal times, it came as no surprise to everyone else.

After everyone had finished their ice-cream sundaes, Albus suggested a night outside with a little drink was in order. All agreed, except Hermione who insisted she had more work to be done.

"Yes Headmaster. Perhaps it is wise to exclude Hermione. I understand she turned down a night out with," Severus paused and raised an eyebrow at the witches in the room, "the 'ladies', as she wasn't ready for alcohol. She is just a child after all." He ended with a slight smirk and a criticizing glance at Hermione. Hagrid stifled a laugh, Minerva and Poppy looked at Hermione expectantly for a rebuttal, Sprout and Dumbledore held their breath, Lenea's eyes had popped open, and Gam let out a low whistle.

***

"Go, go, go, go, go..." Lenea and Gam chanted quietly as Hermione downed her 4^th vodka shot and chased it with a swig of orange juice. She slammed the shot glass down and stared at Snape who nodded approvingly. Dumbledore just shook his head.

"What was that about a child...Snape?" she said in a low, and to him completely sexy, voice.

"I've not been completely proven wrong yet Miss Granger. The night is still young." Poppy Pomfrey tutted in her chair and quietly sipped her Pina Colada.

"Severus," she said in a warning tone. "Do not incapacitate my patient."

"But Poppy! Hermione is not a child, therefore she knows her limits and is quite mature enough to know how to behave," he said innocently giving her his rare angel face. She pursed her lips and stirred her drink.

Dumbledore and Minerva chuckled. "That used to work on us when you were in school Severus. It doesn't anymore," she said flatly from her chair beside Albus.

"Really," he smirked. 'I must find a way to prove her wrong on that account,' he thought mischievously and filed that away for a later time.

Gam sat drinking her Malibu Rum next to Cerelia, who was drinking a Bonny Prince Charlie.

"Severus, I must say, I am disappointed in you. You've watched Hermione all evening and not taken a single drink of anything. That's not like you..." Gam prodded. He turned his gaze from Hermione, slowly back to Gam.

"Indeed. What shall I start off with Madam?" She grinned and got up walking over to the little bar on Albus' deck. It was a well known fact, that Gamula was their resident bartender, having worked as one straight out of Hogwarts for a few years and she still kept her license up.

"Well, let's see..." She reached into a chilled cabinet and pulled out two bottles of Guinness, snapped the tops off and looked at Snape. "Begin." Everyone settled in. It was always fun watching them compete. Snape raised an eyebrow in acceptance of the challenge and sauntered over to the little bar and sat down on a barstool next to Hermione while Gam slid the bottle into Severus' waiting hand. His lips twitched at Hermione's curious gaze as he raised the bottle, clinked it against Gam's, and they began downing the contents in one go.

Poppy sighed and whispered to Minerva, "I should Accio the Anti-Hangover potion right now..." and Minerva chuckled.

Hermione's eyes went wide as she watched her former professors swallow the beer rather quickly, each without spilling a single drop.

"Next?" said Snape silkily sliding the bottle back to Gam to throw away. Hermione shivered.

Gam nodded and looked around under the cabinet.

"How about a nice white wine," chirped Cerelia. Gam nodded and grabbed a fresh bottle from the rack. She feigned weakness and asked Severus to open the bottle. He grinned and took it from her. He then slowly ran a delicate finger down the neck of the bottle, the women all inhaled while Hermione was starting to feel the effects of the Vodka, and the cork popped out without any carbonation.

Gam whispered, "Show off," while Hermione struggled to re-gain composure. He professionally poured the wine into the offered glasses and nodded to Cerelia before swirling the glass and tasting the wine.

"Excellent Albus," he offhandedly commented.

"Of course," he responded smiling.

Then he raised the glass to his lips and sipped slowly, never stopping, tilting his head back catching the last drop with his tongue on the rim of the glass. Hermione gasped.

"Jesus Severus..." commented Lenea Vector, who was also quite out of breath. He chuckled and replied.

"Next?" Gamula finished her own glass and flashed a smile.

"How about....a Coke and Rum?" Severus nodded and gestured with his hand allowing her to go on. Hermione started.

"Isn't that...a Muggle drink? I didn't even know you knew what Coke was."

"Coke is great with Rum, Hermione. It may be Muggle, but we definitely know what it is." Gam said. She said, snapping off the tops to the Coke bottles.

"How about the Malibu Rum tonight? I'm feeling festive," he said, vaguely surprised. He actually was feeling festive. She laughed and reached down for the bottle of Malibu Rum and poured about 1/3 of the glass with Rum over the ice, and the rest of the way with the Coke. She handed him his glass.

"Bottoms up Severus." They nodded and threw back the liquid again in one gulp. Severus took a cube of ice in his mouth, crunched it, and slid the glass back to Hooch.

This time Minerva suggested Cognac, and Gam poured the French brandy into two snifters, letting them warm in their palms and swallowed. Minerva got up and poured herself a brandy and went to sit back down next to Albus and Poppy.

"And now I think, we'll have the Scotch Gam."

"Mhmm." And she prepared two glasses.

"Hermione? Would you care for a glass? I'm sure you're about ready for another drink by now." He antagonized and inclined his head waiting for her reply.

She paused thinking then. "Why not. I'm up to it if you are," she said defiantly. He raised his eyebrows and leaned back.

"Indeed..." he began but Poppy spoke up.

"Careful Hermione...he'll hold you to it dear..." But Hermione didn't care. She had a nice warm buzz going and felt she could handle a few more drinks. She would just go to bed soon, as she imagined everyone else would, lest they embarrass themselves.

He nodded and said, "One more then Gamula. Do we have another player?" he said again looking at Hermione. Hermione contemplated him for a moment.

Minerva laughed and came to Hermione's rescue. "Severus, leave her alone. She's not as 'experienced' as you are. You'll give her alcohol poisoning by the time the night is out," even Sprout laughed.

Hermione straightened. She had been to bars before. She....Harry and Ron....had all gone out. She'd been drunk too. She knew what she was doing; basically. So she steeled herself and met Snape's cool gaze.

"Absolutely." Everyone whistled while the flying instructor considered it. She glanced at Severus. He looked at her too and sealed the deal with his expression.

"All right then..." and she grabbed another glass and filled it with ice. Then she splashed a healthy amount of the amber coloured liquid into the three glasses and offered them out.

"One two three," she said quickly and they all threw back their heads and let the warm liquid pour down their throats. Gam inhaled appreciatively, Snape shook his head and Hermione coughed. She'd never had Scotch before. The same process was repeated a few minutes later with glasses of Gin, followed by two more shots each of Absolut Vodka. They all sat around minutes later, after much teasing from the more...sober members of their audience. Severus was feeling just fine and Gam was quite content. Hermione however...was definitely starting to feel the alcohol worm its warmth through her body and lungs. She slumped back against the wall behind her and let the cool night air blow across her flushed face. Severus got up and went back behind the bar and reached way back into the back where he knew Albus kept a special bottle. He applied a simple Cleaning Charm to their discarded glasses and looked at his drinking participants.

"One more," he said with a slight edge.

Gam smiled and looked at Hermione. "I don't know Severus...she looks like she's had enough, and I'm not in the mood to take that blasted Hangover potion tonight."

"Aww, so you lose Gamula?" She smirked and he produced a dark green bottle.

"Oh Severus...I'm going to have to decline tonight." He tutted then Hermione spoke up, not about to lose to him.

"What's next Snape?" and she straightened up in her chair. He almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

"Well, if you're up to trying something new. Most assuredly you've never had this before." Poppy and Cerelia were craning their necks to see what Severus had found when Minerva inhaled.

"Severus Snape, don't you dare," only half joking. Albus widened his eyes a bit, while Lenea bit back a laugh.

"My dear, I think you've done well, perhaps you should call it quits for the evening?" came the Headmaster.

"Nonsense Professor. It's just one more drink," and she drug her gaze back to Severus. "Isn't it?" she said with a note of finality.

He briefly admired her courage then smiled devilishly. "Of course."

Gam went and sat down on a lawn chair prepared to watch the show and everyone settled their gazes upon Severus. He grabbed the now clean glasses, and reached into a drawer and pulled out two teaspoons. Then, after locating the sugar cubes, delicately placed one each on the teaspoons and positioned them over the rim of the glasses. Next he opened the dark green bottle and poured the clear, green liquid over the sugar cubes and into the glasses. Reaching his hand over to Hermione's face, he offered her his palm.

"Blow," he said quietly. She leaned forward and gently blew into his palm which abruptly became alight with flame. She inhaled sharply and leaned back. Minerva and Lenea both applauded. Severus was always so dramatic when he did his Wandless Magic demonstrations.

With his finger, he then touched each liqueur soaked cube of sugar and likewise caught them aflame. Once the sweetened cubes had melted down, he tipped their contents into the drink and swirled them both at the same time. Hermione watched as the dark green liquid turned into a milky white. He grabbed both glasses and slowly walked around to the front of the bar to offer her a glass.

She sniffed its contents but he stopped her. "Take it in one go." She nodded suspiciously.

"What is this?" Everyone was biting their lips and holding their breath. This was a very serious drink.

He reached over to her glass taking her hand in his and raised it to just in front of her lips.

"Absinthe. Now." And he tilted the glasses to their lips and quickly swallowed. Hermione almost choked as she tried to swallow the liquid fire and inhaled sharply when she finished. Snape calmly set his glass down as Hermione coughed and struggled to catch her breath. Everyone applauded, but Poppy got up to get ready to give them both a dose of the Anti-Hangover potion.

Snape took a couple steps closer towards Hermione. She could smell the harsh liqueur on his breath- it was almost intoxicating. She suddenly felt very dizzy and she placed her hands on his chest for balance and looked up into his eyes.

He leaned down closer to her face and whispered, "Very good, Hermione." She blinked and immediately passed out into Snape's waiting arms as Vector and Hooch laughed quietly.

~*~*~*~

Poppy chastised Snape for egging her on like that; he knew full well she wouldn't have backed down from any dare he proposed. After she checked her blood for any sign of poisoning, she had Severus rub her throat while she poured the Hangover Draught into her mouth. He gently rubbed, coaxing her muscles into its natural reflex to swallow. Once done, Poppy spelled a stretcher into the air and he gently picked her up and lay her down. He would have carried her himself, but even he was human- the large amount of liqueur was getting even to him. He blinked a few times. Poppy noticed and slipped him a vial as well, which he declined.

"Nope," he said slowly. "Not tonight." She nodded cautiously and led Hermione's unconscious form out of Dumbledore's quarters and in to her own to bed. Everyone else sat stretched out on chairs staring up into the sky. Each with a smile plastered on their face. Snape reclined in a lawn chair and pointed his gaze up at the clear night sky. The clouds had cleared and the grounds still smelled of wet earth from the earlier rain. It was very quiet except for the noise of crickets and the occasional owl.

"I beat you again." He cracked at Gam.

She flipped him off, and everyone busted up laughing. Even Snape gave in. He was drunk; he didn't care.

~*~*~*~

The next morning Hermione woke with only a slight headache, which she took a simple potion for. Her mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton and there was sand in her eyes. She slipped out of bed, not even bothering to put on her fuzzy slippers, and trudged to the bathroom. This morning called for a nice long bubble bath. She let the large pool-like bathtub fill up, and she selected a nice rose-scented bath salt and stepped out of her nightgown.

'When did I put on my nightgown?' she thought. Come to think of that, she couldn't remember how she even got back to her rooms. She lightly eased into the hot water and sighed as the bubbles came up to her chin.

"Oh yeah..." she sighed closed her eyes and leaned her head against the cool porcelain. She tried to think back to the last thing she remembered. That horrible drink...Absinthe. She shuddered. "God, I must have been plastered last night to have drunk that..." 'And...oh. Severus.' She remembered the way he had uncorked that wine bottle and his hands near her face...didn't he whisper in her ear before- she shivered and closed her eyes.

She dipped her hair into the water, getting it wet, and leaned back again, then brought her right hand up to her neck and rubbed her muscles. She wished it were his hands instead of hers. Her hand slid slowly down her body at its own volition as she imagined hearing his deep, milky voice purring in her ear. Maybe his tongue would dart out and- she shook her head cutting off the enticing thought.

'No.'

He had made her feel wanted. At least every now and then. But then there would be times when he seemed to push her away.

'Maybe he never wanted me at all,' her thoughts were betraying her. 'Typical. Just like every other prospective male in the world...' She never could figure it out. Men never seemed to be interested in her. She knew she was no beauty, but she could be attractive. And even if she did catch one's eye, he would never continue to stay caught. Or they never...made her feel like all the books and movies described. She never felt that passion, and incredible sense of love. That spark that everyone else got to feel seemed to be permanently snuffed out for her. She thought maybe she just wasn't normal.

But then, there was Severus. He excited her, intrigued her...hell, he downright turned her on. He was intelligent, extremely sharp-witted and tongued (she smiled at that thought); he was respected, well-read, very well-spoken, and unbelievably attractive. And dear Gods, that voice. She rinsed out the shampoo in her hair and began with the conditioner.

That last moment when she was inside herself he had made her feel so wanted...like she had something to come back to. Maybe even him. She swore she could see it in his eyes. But something seemed to be wrong. He never quite let go and gave in to her. She thought she was being pretty obvious. She sighed frustrated, and this time rinsed the conditioner out of her hair. Idly, she thought it smelled great.

She stood up, after rinsing off, and reached for a huge, fluffy white towel and dried herself off, then wrapped a smaller one around her dripping hair and walked out of the bathroom. She stepped into her bedroom and put on her deep red, silk chamber robe and looked around for Crookshanks. Not seeing him on the bed, she walked into the living room and called for him.

"Kitty kitty? Crookshanks? Come 'ere baby." When he didn't respond she shrugged thinking he must still be out roaming around. So she turned around to get dressed and decided since she took the day off yesterday, she'd go back into the library and work some more. Maybe if she had a handle on Harry's situation she could go to him and be okay. She felt terrible. She hadn't seen him yet, but she honestly wasn't strong enough. She would be ready soon, she hoped.

~*~*~

Snape had awoken at six in the morning to a splitting headache after refusing to take the medicine offered to him last night.

'Why? Why are you so ignorant sometimes Severus,' he chided laying his hands over his eyes to block out the weak sunlight filtering through his curtains. He had slept in his pants last night, so he had to struggle to unwind himself from the bedclothes. It was tiring work, and it did not add to the relief of his throbbing skull. Frustrated he kicked the damn sheets off and was rewarded with a low growl. Startled he rolled over and lifted up the pillow beside him to see a massive, orange blob of fur curled up. And it was obviously pissed off for being woken up so roughly. Snape smiled and reached over to pet the cat.

"Did you get kicked out last night?" The cat went back to purring contentedly and rolled over to have his belly scratched. Snape shook his head but complied. "How did you get in here anyways..." then remembered he'd forgotten to take out his own cat door he'd made while he'd kept her pet.

Hermione.

His mind flicked back to her pretty flushed face of last night. He really had to admire her bravery for taking the Absinthe. He'd gotten Gam and Albus to do it once with him, but no one else. He squinted into the room and sloughed off to the bathroom to down a vial of Anti-Hangover Potion and take a hot shower and shave.

~*~*~

When Hermione came into the library after breakfast that morning, Severus Snape was there bent over a book. She smiled and walked straight over to him; he continued to read his book.

"You had quite an interesting night last night. I was surprised; you proved me wrong," he said sarcastically, still not looking up. He knew it was her by her scent alone.

"Oh," and she placed her hand over her heart, "I think I've just died. Severus Snape just complimented me and admitted he was wrong in one sentence."

He looked up and stared blankly at her. "And then you open your mouth." She scowled at him. "How dramatic. Did you forget you passed out right into my arms last night? Don't pride yourself too much Hermione."

'Into your arms?! Damn...I must have forgotten that. What a pity,' she thought dejectedly.

"I did huh?" and she took a few steps closer to Snape getting right in his personal space. Snape stiffened and she bent down, with her hands on the table beside him. She could smell his spiced musky scent, mixed with soap. "If you wanted me in your arms, Severus, all you had to do was ask..." she purred. His mouth went dry but he remained calm and stared at her blankly.

"You think too highly of yourself Granger." And he looked back to his book. She scoffed and headed towards the bookshelves to find her own book. Once back, she settled into the chair right beside him and stared. His eyes were quickly roving over the pages and his brows knit in concentration. His thumb then stretched up to his index finger and popped the joints before settling again.

He sighed. "Are you going to stare at me all day? It's rude."

"No. I was just-"somewhere out in the hall someone screamed. His head snapped up and she quickly turned her gaze to the open door of the library. They quickly glanced at each other and were up out of their chairs and racing towards the door. Upon reaching it, Snape paused and held his arm out stopping Hermione. She looked at him and backed away from the door as he drew his wand. He cautiously peered out the doorway, not to be caught off-guard, and then nodded to her.

They slowly stepped into the deserted hallway, before hearing a muffled sound coming from the trophy room. They dashed back down the hall towards the sounds. Hermione was behind him and watched as he quietly ran to the trophy room. His years of spying must have made him very adept at this kind of thing. When they got to the door, again, he paused before going in. He heard Cerelia shouting and immediately bolted towards her voice.

"Cerelia?! Where are you?!" he bellowed.

She called from the end of the room no less. Hermione followed him, drawing out her own wand. His wand was already out pointed towards the area around the Herbology professor.

"PEEVES!! By Merlin, I swear if you drop that it will be the end of you!" the usually calm little witch spat. Her face was flushed red, and her own wand was out pointed at the irritating poltergeist holding some sort of flowering pot.

Hermione and Severus looked up and pointed their wands. Severus closed his eyes and muttered under his breath.

Sprout turned to him desperately. "Do something Severus! You have no idea how rare and expensive that flower is! It took me five whole years to track down the seeds!" Snape looked at her and blinked. Hermione tried to keep a straight face.

"Is that what all that shouting was for?" he screeched. "Christ Ceri! I thought you were being killed!" She shook her head frustratingly.

"Well I might as well be dead if he destroys that damn flower! I was out in the hall about to present it to Albus, when that wretched thing came up and surprised me from behind. He grabbed it from my hands and bounced away down the hall and in to here. Severus please, please get it back!" she pleaded. Hermione smiled sympathetically at the distraught witch and looked at Severus. Above them Peeves was cackling and bouncing maniacally with the flower pot in his hands. Severus sighed and pointed his wand back up into the air.

"Peeves! So help me, I will destroy you if you do not return that flower, CALMLY, back to Sprout! I will see to it that the Bloody Baron has a word with you as well," he said dangerously. Peeves' cackling ceased at the sound of the Bloody Baron's name he stopped and looked down at the Potions master. He had a small amount of respect for Snape, but he would disregard it for a great gag like this.

"You will, eh dark one?" he said. Snape narrowed his eyes and nodded. His rage was very apparent in his face. Peeves faltered a moment and considered the plant in his hands. Sprout held her breath.

"But it's just a silly ickle flower! And it would crunch so nicely from up here..."

"Peeves..." Snape warned in his baritone voice. Hermione looked between the poltergeist and Snape.

The apparition slowly descended down, above a particularly large trophy cabinet and hovered a bit. "Well, if you want it back that badly..." and he slowly dropped the pot so that it fell behind the cabinet.

Snape shot a jet of angry red sparks at Peeves and he was zoomed out of the room. They had listened for the sound of the ceramic pot shattering but it must have gotten wedged in between the cabinet and wall. Sprout had gasped, and let out a string of obscenities that Hermione thought was unimaginable. They all walked over to the heavy cabinet and Snape crawled behind the neighbouring case and squinted through the darkness to try and see it. He muttered Lumos and his wand tip lighted up and illuminated the flower pot. Sure enough it was wedged and he said as much.

"Don't move the cabinet Severus! The pot could fall and break. I can't risk it. Try to reach in there and grab it by hand," Sprout said nervously. He again muttered under his breath and reached in as far as he could. It was just beyond fingertip length.

"I can't quite get it," he grunted. Hermione stepped forward, crawled behind the case Severus had, and offered to try. The space was very cramped and he tried to slide back to let Hermione have a go, as she was smaller than him. She slid past him, her breasts squishing into his chest. He had to stifle a gasp at the contact, as did she, as she continued to try to get by him. Her face was very close to his as they whispered their apologies to each other. Then her feet got tangled up in his and she stumbled and his arms wrapped around her waist to quickly balance her. She smiled coyly, and he looked at her curiously. 'What is she playing at?' he thought. She could feel the heat radiating off him and tried not to blush.

'Damnit, I have to get out of here...' Snape thought wildly. Hermione was loving every second of it* as she peered up into his eyes. Finally he released her and she was able to slip by. But then he had to lean back against her so he could shine his wand light behind the cabinet so she could see. Her bottom was pressing against his hip as she wiggled in to reach the pot and he bit back a groan and closed his eyes.

"Do you almost have it?" he said desperately.

"Almost," she said and stretched her arm out to its full length. With a final push behind into the cabinet space, almost his undoing, she latched on to the edge of the pot and called out. "Got it!" she smiled triumphantly. Then she tried to back out. She couldn't. "Damnit," she whispered.

She had wiggled again against him and this time he had to step back. "What?" he panted.

"Um...I seem to be stuck. A little help please?" she said blushing, though he couldn't see it. She heard him sigh.

He pocketed his wand again and slipped his hands around her waist, his palms flat against her belly. This time Hermione had to bite back a moan. He tugged once, twice, and with a third time she slipped out and tumbled back against him. His arm flew out against the wall and the case to steady them, the other back around her waist as she clutched the pot close against her chest to keep from dropping it. Once she straightened they slowly backed out from the tight space and Cerelia squealed with happiness.

"Splendid!" and she snatched the flower away from Hermione. "Oh thank you so much my dears! You really are a lifesaver Severus," she beamed. She had noticed his frustrated look; she knew exactly what had happened and she laughed on the inside.

Hermione smiled at her, and quickly glanced at Severus. His eyes were averted downwards and said it was no problem.

"Just be more careful next time," he said with a sour face, trying to sound strict and gain some amount of control again.

"Oh I will," and she turned around and left leaving them alone.

They nervously stood there for a moment. He was trying to decide if she had done that on purpose, she was wondering if he had enjoyed it as much as her. She glanced at his lips, which were thinned, and noticed he looked to be in deep concentration, staring at the floor. What she didn't know was that he was chanting a phrase to himself to calm himself back down.

'She was my student, she was my student, she was my student, she was my student!' When their eyes finally met she swore there was the faintest tinge of pink high up on his cheeks and she smiled shyly.

"Sorry," they said at the same time. She grinned and looked away as Severus turned to walk back out the door of the trophy room. She quickly walked to catch up to him.

"What's next?" she said as they turned in to the hall.

~*~*~

They spent the rest of the day together in the library, looking over notes to try to find something the doctors at St. Mungo's had missed while trying to help Harry. Severus admired her perseverance; right when they thought they had found something, anything, that could help, it always turned out to be a dead end. But she never gave up and insisted they keep looking. The work was very frustrating, with no rewards and Snape kept thinking, 'If Potter makes it out of this alive, he owes me one.' But then Hermione's arm would brush against his, or she'd place her hand over his as she pointed out a note on some parchment and he'd start to rethink the idea of their lack of rewards.

Despite his best efforts, he too kept finding ways to touch her. He knew he shouldn't be thinking of her in any other way that would be unprofessional, but damn she was so tempting. What he would have given to run his hands all over her small little body with her creamy-coloured skin and make her moan. He wondered what she would taste like and if her lips were as soft as that skin. As he was thinking this he made a strangled sound as she had returned and bent over his shoulder and whispered that she found another book in his ear, and he quickly had to stand up and back away. If she did something like that again he was going to throw her on the table and have her right there.

Startled, she looked at him with concern. "Are you okay?" He just glared at her. "Severus?"

"What?" he growled. She blinked.

"What's wrong?" she took a step towards him; he was so jumpy today. He held out his hand indicating she should stop, and ran his other hand through his hair. He was trying to think of the words to say, but came up with nothing. Defeated, he let out an exasperating sigh, slumped his shoulders and looked at her with desperation in his eyes. She took another step towards him, worried, when someone came in the door.

"Hermione!" a shrill voice ripped through the air as Molly Weasley came running through the door, her little eyes full of tears and grabbed Hermione hugging her.

"Molly!" she shrieked and hugged back. She was so happy to see her! Mrs. Weasley had been like a second mother to her growing up. That thought brought back tears to her eyes and she hugged tighter. Severus took a step back and looked up at Albus, who had escorted her into the library.

Molly Weasley held her for a few more moments before standing back to look at her and shook her head. She had felt just awful for not having come to see Hermione sooner. But she had had no strength left after the deaths of George and Ron, her heart hitched at the recent memory, and had been trying to comfort Ginny, and look after Harry, and try to keep the family held together while trying to convince herself to keep breathing, that she just couldn't come to Hermione's side. Tears were streaming down the plump little woman's face.

"Oh my dear..." Hermione's eyes filled with tears again and she tried to smile. "Oh my dear," her voiced cracked and she hugged Hermione again. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. Hermione was fighting the urge to break down and sob. Having Molly here was bringing all her painful memories back, and Severus just stopped himself from going to her side.

Mrs. Weasley went on. "Forgive me for not being here sooner," she half-heartedly laughed. "I've had things to attend to at home," and more tears spilled down her flushed cheeks. She shook her head and straightened up; now was not the time to lose her self-possession. She came here to comfort Hermione and get her out in to the world again. "You're too thin," she clucked, observing the young girl before her, and turned to Albus grinning. "Are you feeding her, Albus?"

He smiled. "Of course. We're all a little strained, but I'm sure some of your famous home-cooking can cure that particular problem," the Headmaster replied with twinkling eyes. Mrs. Weasley waved him off, smiling, and turned back to Hermione.

"How are you dear?" Hermione met her motherly gaze and shrugged. She had been feeling better until now; but she was still very happy to see her.

"How..." Hermione trailed off trying to find the right words. "How is everyone? How is Ginny?" She knew Harry and Ginny had been together for a few years now. Ginny had been after him since she was a first year and finally after seducing him, with a little of Hermione's help, she was able to get him to see the light and he had given in and fell completely in love with her. Hermione had imagined that Harry would have been proposing any day until....

Molly shook her head and sighed. "She hardly ever leaves the hospital. No matter what I say. But if I beg, sometimes I can get her to come home and take a bath and eat a hot meal." Hermione nodded sadly. She blinked and looked away; embarrassed that she hadn't seen Harry yet. She felt a kind hand on her shoulder and looked back into Molly Weasley's sympathetic eyes.

"We all understand." She sighed sadly. "We almost lost you too dear." Hermione's bottom lip trembled and she looked at Severus. He started to walk over to her as Molly continued. "Hermione, would you come stay with us for a few days? I want you to be with us. You need to be around friends, and more than that, I need to fuss over you and make sure you're okay," she finished, smiling. She stopped as Severus came up behind her. "Oh! Not that you're not around friends now that is. I'm getting old and not watching my mouth aren't I?" she chuckled. Hermione smiled and Severus' lips quirked. "I just mean, well, I was hoping you and Ginny could help each other." Her eyes became desperate. "I...I've tried everything. She has no light in her eyes anymore Hermione. Come home with us. She needs you. And I think you need her too."

Hermione and Ginny had been best friends all throughout school and their relationship had only intensified once they graduated. They had even lived together for a year before Ginny had found a different university to attend. And really, she did need Ginny. She missed her company, and her perkiness. And she knew what it was to have lost someone. She lost two brothers and was on the verge of losing the love of her life. A visit couldn't hurt. Hermione bit her lip uncertainly and looked at Albus who and nodded, then back to Mrs. Weasley; she was crying again and her voice was wracked with pent-up emotion.

"I've buried two sons, almost lost a girl I hold as my own daughter, and if things keep up I'll bury another son," she said indicating Harry and her voice broke. "I can't lose my baby girl too. Not only me, but Arthur would just...please come Hermione. If only for a little while." Hermione's heart lurched. Mrs. Weasley had been the strongest-willed woman she'd ever known and to see her in this state was almost too much. Her strong, fiery façade had crumbled into a tear-streaked, messy haired ball of struggling despair.

"Of course Molly. I'd love to come. I think I might need it too." Molly smiled and embraced her again. When she let go Severus bent down and whispered in Hermione's ear.

"I'll send the house-elves for your things. You stay with Molly." Hermione half turned and looked into his eyes. They were unreadable.

She whispered back, "Thank you Severus." He nodded tersely to her, then to Mrs. Weasley and walked out of the room while Albus convinced them to have some tea with him and Minerva up in his study and let them catch up.

Once the small tea break was over, Severus briefly spoke with the Headmaster, and they all walked to the entry way to say goodbye. Severus assured Hermione that her things were packed and he, Albus and Minerva walked them to the waiting carriage. They didn't want to Apparate with all of Hermione's luggage and Crookshanks. Minerva hugged Hermione goodbye and said she'd see her soon, then gave Mrs. Weasley a tight embrace and dabbed at her eyes. The Gryffindor head of house had been hurt by the death of the two Weasley boys as well. Albus also gave each of them a squeeze and Severus held open the door for them. Molly waved goodbye and allowed Severus to help her in the horseless carriage, then Hermione turned to him. He nodded his head and offered his hand to her. She gently smiled, took it and stepped into the carriage as well, and was handed Crookshanks' pet taxi. The cat hated being in that thing. Then, to her and Mrs. Weasley's surprise, Severus got in after them. They both looked at him startled as he shut the door and nodded at the other two outside and sat down across from them. At their curious stares he answered their questioning looks.

"I'm to escort you ladies to the Weasley home and see that you arrive there safely," he said calmly. Mrs. Weasley glanced at Hermione and grinned.

"Always the gentleman Severus?" Despite all the horrid tales her children drug home every year about the dreaded Slytherin Potions master, she and Arthur held a deep respect for Snape. They were all on a first name basis especially after the children's fourth year when Molly learned that Severus was a hidden spy for Albus. She knew what kind of life it must be after Arthur had told her tales of some of the spies he'd found working for the Light that had been tortured and killed, and she deeply admired him; as did Arthur. It must have taken so much strength and courage to endure that kind of a life. Not to mention the natural motherly worry she had for him after knowing he had saved her son's life and Harry's too. Well, if you thought about it, he was trying to save numerous people's lives by trying to defeat Voldemort. Arthur had been in contact with Severus in the Ministry during the war and he had also held Snape in high-esteem.

Severus twitched the corner of his lip and nodded. "I try." Mrs. Weasley giggled and patted Hermione's hand as she stared at him.

The carriage set off out of the grounds and with a bang, set off in a manner very much like the Knight Bus, and made its jerky way to Ottery St. Catchpole; the little village the Weasley's lived in. When the carriage reached the village, it slowed down and rolled down the cobblestone path and out into the country where the Weasley's home was.

Molly looked at Severus as he gazed out the window and the passing fields. "I don't know if we ever thanked you Severus, Arthur and I, but we do. You've done so much, for so many people." Snape looked at her, taken aback. Molly met his startled eyes and replied intensely. "Thank you." He blinked, not quite sure what to say or make of it and nodded jerkily. Molly smiled faintly again and fiddled with her purse as they neared her home.

Hermione turned her head to look out the window as the Burrow came in sight. She smiled fondly thinking back to the first time she'd seen the oddly built house. Ron, with his red hair had come running happily out of the house, being chased by Ginny, and had come to greet her and her parents....Hermione broke off and looked away. Severus looked at her with concern. She gave him a weak smile and nodded that she was okay. He looked skeptical but accepted it. When the carriage slowed to a stop, Snape opened the door to help the two women out then reached around for Hermione's luggage. Hermione stooped down and let Crookshanks out to roam around, as he was already familiar with the Weasley's home. Molly led them to the door and told Severus he could just leave the bags in the entry way. She asked him to stay for dinner, but he said he had some work he needed to get back to, and politely declined. Hermione arched an eyebrow and he shot her a look as if daring her to prove it. Molly looked at them oddly, and then shook her head.

"Arthur! We have company!" she yelled to the living room. Hermione grinned. She heard the sound of a chair squeaking and shuffling footsteps as Mr. Weasley entered the hallway. His face looked drawn and tired, and there were lines around his eyes that were smudged with purple. He had the expression of a mourning father. But when he saw Hermione the frown lines had deepened on his usually cheerful face briefly, before he smiled happily and embraced Hermione.

"Hello, my dear," he said into her hair. "How are you?" She stood back to look at him before he added, "Well, you don't have to answer that yet. You just enjoy your time with us. Can I get you anything?" Molly fussed, forgetting to ask first, and offered some tea to Hermione and Severus. Arthur then noticed the other man was there and he smiled again extending his hand. Severus took it and nodded again.

"Arthur."

"Severus, hello. I didn't realize you were coming. I hope you're well. How are things at Hogwarts?" They chatted for a few more seconds before Snape made his cue to leave. Then Bill and Charlie, the eldest brothers, followed by Percy and Fred entered and said their hello's. It was quite a shock to Severus to see the normally, bursting to life-full of laughter and mischief, smiling family look so.....sad. It didn't seem right, Snape thought, and it disturbed him. He shook hands with the Weasley children and offered his condolences. Then they all grabbed Hermione, hugging her and passed her around. She laughed a bit, and when she got to Fred, her lips pressed into a line and she hugged him tightly. His lip trembled as he hugged her fiercely. She had been with him when his twin brother George had been killed. He hadn't seen her since that night. But he was glad she was okay. He felt a twinge of guilt as he too hadn't had the energy to leave his room after the death of his brothers. He and George had been particularly close as they were twins. And not seeing him everyday had really been a blow; it was like he had lost a part of himself.

"I'm so sorry Fred," she whispered into his shoulder. She hadn't seen him since that night to give him her condolences.

"Me too," he answered and gazed at her apprehensively.

Snape cleared his throat. "Well, I had best be off." And he turned towards the door. Hermione turned to follow him out as he said goodbye to all the Weasley's. They walked slowly back to the carriage in silence. She didn't really want to leave him, but she needed to be here.

When they got to the coach they turned to look at each other. She took his hand in hers and he squeezed it affectionately. He knew she was struggling with her emotions so he just remained quiet. She looked up into his dark eyes.

"Thank you Severus." He furrowed his brows in question and displeasure. He'd had too many thank-you's today and didn't quite know how to handle them. However, he chose to overlook his annoyance, and instead leaned in close to her cheek.

"If you need me, just floo over. I'll be available any time," he whispered deeply. His warm breath flowed across her skin making it tingle, and his lips connected. She softly inhaled and closed her eyes as he kissed her lightly on the cheek. Her legs felt like putty as he let her hands go to step into the carriage and with a bang, the carriage took off again. She stood motionless for a few moments staring at the place he had stood before she turned and walked back into the Burrow. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had unintentionally caught that last moment of affection and Arthur turned to his wife questioningly.

"What....?" he began but didn't finish. She shrugged and smiled and turned to go in to the kitchen to make dinner and he into the living room.

When Hermione walked into the house she heard Mrs. Weasley call to Fred to take Hermione's bags up to Ginny's room. She smiled grateful that some things never change.